BY PMK
I had the opportunity recently to spend some time with our good friend Skye Walker, SDSFF 2014 artistic director. While he acknowledged that he has big shoes to fill, I knew he had it in him. Now that I have seen the new SDSFF artwork, program and logo overhaul, I feel sorry for whoever is next.
I had the opportunity recently to spend some time with our good friend Skye Walker, SDSFF 2014 artistic director. While he acknowledged that he has big shoes to fill, I knew he had it in him. Now that I have seen the new SDSFF artwork, program and logo overhaul, I feel sorry for whoever is next.
What process did you go through to become the artistic director for the third annual SDSFF?
I
was asked to be a contributing artist at the first SDSFF in 2012, and
it was an amazing event. Joe Hodnicki was the art director and he
killed it. Then in 2013 Matt Beard stepped things up and killed it with
his art direction, and we had a great art show together as well. So then I
was asked to be art director and the featured artist for 2014. I am totally honored to be involved and to put my spin on the poster design and
all of the other fun activities.
Describe the first two film festivals and what the SDSFF means to the community?
San Diego was in dire need of this event. Surfing is such an integral part of our community and California coastal living. The film festival brought out the professionals and the amateur filmmakers alike to not only submit
films but to watch films and celebrate wave riding in the form of
movies -- and who doesn’t like a great surf movie? The first year was
awesome. I submitted a fun short film called ‘The Escape’ about body
surfing; it was so fun to see it on the big screen with
people hooting and cheering. The second year was even bigger and more
people caught wind of what a rad event it was, so people were coming out
of the woodwork to froth over great films and all around stoke. It
reminded me of the surf films that traveled around back in the day, like
Endless Summer, and it evoked a sense of excitement and adventure in
people that can’t be matched with other film festivals. Plus, you walk
out of each showing feeling totally stoked to surf, make a surf film and
help protect the oceans. Plus, Birds Surf Shed as a venue… insane!
 |
| Amazing artwork by Skye Walker |
How would you describe yourself as an artist and how you fit in with the SDSFF?
While
I do a lot of different kinds of art like paintings, illustrations,
cartoons and large scale murals, ocean related art has always been on my
mind -- whether it’s art with a more serious tone on reclaimed wood or
more illustrative work that taps into the playful fun nature of surfing,
I’m always thinking of new ways to create art with different
perspectives on the ocean environments that we all love. And since my
work taps into those ocean/surf themes, I think it fits well with the
subject matter of the film fest.
Who are your influences and what path has your art been taking?
The
ocean, waves and its sea life is a constant source of inspiration for
my work. I’ve been doing a lot of work on reclaimed wood and materials
lately. The reclaimed wood takes on a life of it’s own with the grain
and paint interacting with each other, and it really gives the eye
something fun to look at versus flat art. The nice thing is that while the
ocean stays fairly constant as a source of inspiration, the directions
your art can be taken are endless. I do try to incorporate a bit of an
environmental message whenever I can in my work because at the end of
the day we can’t just take and take and enjoy the ocean and our
environments without helping out or giving back.
What is your favorite thing about surfing and being in the water?
No phone. No computer. No distractions. It’s just you and the sea and feeling the energy of the water all around you. Gliding
across a wave, getting an amazing barrel vision or just watching a wave
go unridden with pelicans cruising along the surface. It’s like nothing
else on earth and can’t be beaten or duplicated.
Would you be SDSFF art director again?
Hell yes… but only if I get surf lessons from Tom Curren.
What are some art events we can expect for this year's SDSFF?
There’s so much to be excited about with the film fest this year!
I’m particularly excited for The Undertow VIP Party that’s kicking
things off on Wednesday, May 7th. It’s happening at Karl
Strauss Brewery in San Diego and will have all kinds of rad things
going on. There will be live music by the Saline Solutions, epic Karl
Strauss beer, dakine grinds by Daphne’s California Greek, surf films
& goodie bags for all the Nautilus Pass holders. It’s also a one
night only “Gallery” event with original art by Matt Beard, Gage
Hingeley, Joe Hodnicki and your’s truly. And that’s just the first
night!
I’m also stoked that our friends over at MIZU are providing us with a filtered water station at the film festival.
Bring your own water bottle (or I’ll have some limited edition Skye
Walker art water bottles for sale at the door) and fill up your bottle
for free with fresh, clean drinking water so you can stay hydrated for
all the films. This saves plastic water bottles from going into the trash
and the ocean.
Plus, there are
other cool things that are going to happen, but I don’t want to give
away all the surprises. It’s going to be the best San Diego Surf Film
Festival yet!
PMK
